Comments on: Hoping in the Gospel, One Bite at a Time

By: Tara

Tara — Thu, 03 Mar 2005 13:38:22 +0000

Hi Justin ! I would say that depending on our story (our personal journey with Christ ) words should not be necessary for others we should be a living testimony. I too agree that pity nor disgust are even an option for those who know not. Hope is what we must have as we work love and patience in all things. Unfortunately there are good and bad in all peoples even some “christians”… I think what is most important is that we are to have a Christlike attitude, whom even through persecution still forgave and found the power to love. As we walk and work on that fullness within ourselves we see that we are continual works in progress. Also Remembering Jesus did not come to be served ….but to serve. That my brother is our cross. Remember the fruits of the spirit!

God Bless you!

By: April T.

April T. — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 17:30:10 +0000

Sorry, folks, I just noticed that on Item #3, I wrote it wrong, I meant to say, “Don’t live the life.”

By: April T.

April T. — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 17:29:06 +0000

Justin, I loved your comments and they are really so insightful. It brings to my mind some thoughts about the types of non-Christians that we meet. Maybe you can add a few types to this list, but here are a few of mine. The reason that I am listing these types is because we reach each of them differently and some maybe we never reach.

1 - Bill Maher types - These people reject, distrust, and even have anger toward Christians.
2 - Lost Sheep - These people seem to bounce off walls and have no clear direction in their lives. You just know that if they knew Christ, their lives would take a more positive direction.
3 - Non-Christian Christians - These people range from unaware Christians warming the pews to Christians who say they’re Christian, but live the life.
4 - Unawares - These people have no idea nor do they care about anything of a religious nature.
5 - Non-Christians - People who have chosen another religion entirely and are happy with that choice.

I agree that we shouldn’t look at these people and express pity, disapproval, sadness, or disgust. That is ungracious of us. We can’t fix others, we can only be examples of kindess and love. It is through kindness and love that we make the greatest impact. We must always strive to remember that God is the great healer. We are merely pieces of a very large puzzle that God is putting together. Sometimes, we impact a person’s life, but we seldom see that through to the end. We are a ripple on a lake and when all the ripples come together, we make a wave. That is why we must remain patient.

As Paul said, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some.”